Life is what you make it…

Three Falls

A pretty 45 minute or so drive up in the mountains leads you to Futashika Umezu Falls or as the American’s refer to it as Three Falls. We went out with a group of friends and had a great time. It was really pretty and relaxing playing in the water and enjoying nature.

Scenes on our walk to the falls.

 

A small shrine nestled in the mountain on the side of the trail.

Starting to see water.

The first of three falls.

Almost there!

Shallow water to wade in.

In the back you can see the third of the three falls. It was so smooth you could slide right down it. And if you look closely on the upper right corner you see me trying to decide if I should jump or not and in the water is Amanda F. encouraging me to do it!

I went for it!!!!

Headed for the slide.

More jumping. This time it was a love jump with Amanda.

We should have taken the family photo hours before, not after we were all gross…but anyways….

Cora all tuckered out from the fun day!

Chili’s

While in Yokosuka (by the way pronounced nothing like it is spelled- not in my mind anyways) I got to eat at Chili’s. I was beyond excited. This may not be blog worthy to most people but I was so stoked, I could hardly contain myself. The food was amazing. As you can see I made a super HAPPY plate! I wanted to eat a whole other meal but I controlled myself. For a moment in time I felt like I was back home.

The food in Japan is good. That was one of the things we were most excited about when we got the military orders here (thus why every blog post is about food) but American food is greatly missed. Which is why when we go home on leave we gain 10 pounds. I might have gained a few pounds just visiting Chili’s once….worth it.

The Shinkansen

My bff here in Japan Amanda picked me as her medical assistant. So we took off to Yokosuka on the Shinkansen/shin/bullet train for a quick little girls (no kids) get away.  This was my first time on the bullet train. :)

Yes people that is the only bag I packed. For those of you who know me well, know this a triumph.

Checking which track we are on and when our train leaves.

The trains come in different sizes from 16 cars to 8 cars to 6 cars. Thankfully Amanda had done this exact trip before. I would have been super confused.

It just looks like it would go fast, right?

It was just like being on a plane except I had more to look at and lots of room.

Look at all that space! It is the little things in life people! I’m a big fan of traveling by train.

Local Produce

There is a little market right outside of base that we pass every time we leave. We finally got around to checking it out. Lo and behold their stuff is cheaper than what we find on base. I know where I’ll be getting my fruits and veggies now!

Support your local farmers!

These boots

were made for walking…and that’s just what she’ll do….

She jacked these from a little boy we were watching this past weekend. I think she needs some pink cowgirl boots. What about ya’ll?

Maple City

Maple City is a a go-to restaurant when you are craving some yummy Italian food. We’ve been talking about eating at here since we got to Iwakuni. We’ve passed it 100 times but only have tried to eat there twice. The first time we were put on a waiting list and then never called. (I think it was a miscommunication) and then the second time was just the other day. Worth the wait in my opinion. Cora was amazingly behaved. She just sat in her chair the entire time and acted like an angel (always) and the food was great. Bon Appetit!

Cora being a wino being an angel.

Peter’s dish. Pasta with smoked salmon and spinach.

My dish. Pasta with chicken and mushrooms. The basil my favorite and tomatoes were a total surprise.